A drama school whose star students regularly appear in TV shows has opened in Harrogate.
Articulate Drama School and Agency supplies child actors for production companies on programmes such as All Creatures Great and Small, Gentleman Jack, Peaky Blinders, Emmerdale, and Last Tango in Halifax.
It is now running weekly classes for young people aged five to 21 at St George’s Community Centre on Mornington Crescent.
Stacey Burrows, director of Articulate, said:
“Harrogate is fortunate enough to offer lots of opportunities for young people to get involved in drama and the arts, but for those wanting to explore the art of TV acting and see how they get on in the industry, Articulate classes and representation can be just what is needed.
“We chose Harrogate because increasingly, our TV and film clients are asking us for children to film in nearby locations such as the Yorkshire Dales, York, Ripon and Harrogate itself.”
Some of Articulate’s talented youngsters include Tilly Kaye, who plays Biff in CBeebies series Biff & Chip and Austin Haynes, who has just finished filming as a leading role in sequel to the The Railway Children, which is set to be released in cinemas in April next year.
Read more:
- Watch ex-Harrogate Town footballer’s reaction after winning £1m on lottery
- Will you be going for a spin on Harrogate’s helter skelter?
Some of its actors have also worked overseas for TV and advertising projects. For example, Ilkley teen Henry Kent flew to Mexico to film a Coca Cola advert.
Ms Burrows said the agency’s set-up was geared purely towards TV and sessions were filmed so children could analyse their skills.
There is no singing or dancing, and she said often children without backgrounds in those areas adapted better because they were more natural. Anyone can take part.
Sessions take place on Wednesday evenings and cost £29.50 a month. A free trial is available.
For further details visit here. Or you can email dramaschool@articulatesdc.com or call 01274 033773.
Photo: (left) Aiden Cook on the set of All Creatures Great and Small and (right) Dexter Hughes with Suranne Jones on the set of Gentleman Jack
Harrogate Christmas lights switched on by ‘Harry’s Heroes’
The finalists in the search to find the Harrogate district’s community champion were invited to perform the official Christmas lights switch-on in Harrogate last night.
Lauren Doherty, Greta Knight, Susie Little, Helen Mackenzie, Mark Oldfield and Cath Wilson asked to perform the duties outside the Victoria Shopping Centre at 5pm.
Mark was unable to attend but the five others were there, along with representatives from Harrogate Business Improvement District.
Those selected are finalists in Harry’s Heroes — an event run by the Stray Ferret in conjunction with former BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration and Harrogate Spring Water to find the people in the district doing exceptional things to help others in the community.
The BID, which organised the switch-on, did not publicise it in advance this year to avoid any covid risk caused by crowds gathering.
The BID, which is funded by a levy on businesses, aims to increase footfall in Harrogate town centre and boost trade.
It is also involved with this year’s Christmas Shop Window contest as well as the Father Christmas Experience at the Crown Hotel.
Read more:
- Deep clean of Ripon alleyways to be first BID project
- Harry’s Heroes Finalist Vote
- Watch ex-Harrogate Town footballer’s reaction after winning £1m on lottery
Harrogate Male Voice Choir returned on Saturday evening for its first performance in two years.
The choir has existed since October 1969 but members were forced to practice over Zoom during the pandemic.
Members performed at a charity event at St. Mary’s Church, Boston Spa in aid of Martin House Children’s Hospice. They raised £1,050 for the charity.
The choir sang renditions of Amazing Grace, Bring Him Home and In Flanders Fields, among others.
It was the debut of the choir’s new musical director Richard Kay, who has been a member of York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir since 2002. He also sang a range of songs solo during the evening.
Choir member Lawrie Coulthard said:
“It was a wonderful experience for both the choir and audience.
“This was the first time for some years that our performance included solo items – the audience really enjoyed them!”
Read more:
- Music-loving Knaresborough couple nominated for choir award
- Plan to convert Ripon Cathedral Choir School into townhouses
Watch ex-Harrogate Town footballer’s reaction after winning £1m on lottery
A video has been posted online that captures the moment former Harrogate Town defender Terry Kennedy finds out he’s scooped £1m on the National Lottery.
The clip, which has over a million views on Twitter, shows Mr Kennedy in his work canteen holding his lucky ticket and shaking his head in disbelief whilst on the phone to lottery staff.
When he is told he’s won £1m his workmates erupt in cheers.
Mr Kennedy began his career at Sheffield United but made most of his appearances as a footballer in the sixth tier of English football, including playing 31 times for Harrogate Town in the 2017/18 season when he scored 9 goals.
Watch the video below:
https://twitter.com/notpotmongs/status/1460349225825443846?s=20
Read more:
- Hot Seat: Harrogate Town’s new CEO aims to take club to new heights
- Harrogate firm EnviroVent sets 2030 net-zero target
Good morning, it’s Leah with you this morning offering frequent travel alerts to try and make your journey as smooth as possible.
I’ll let you know about roadworks, delayed buses and any traffic hotspots that could cause you delays.
If you spot anything, and it is safe to do so, give me a call on 01423 276197 and we can help other commuters too.
These blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.
9am – Full Update
That is it from me today, Suzannah will be back with you tomorrow with regular traffic and travel updates. Have a lovely Day.
Roads
Traffic Hotspots:
- A61 between Killinghall and Ripley – 9 minute delay
- Wetherby Road between the Kestrel roundabout and Empress roundabout – 9 minute delay
- Knaresborough Road, Starbeck – 7 minute delay
Traffic is building here:
- Otley Road towards Prince of Wales roundabout
- A59 towards J47 A1
- York Road, Knaresborough
- York Place, Harrogate
- Hookstone Drive
- Skipton Road
- Boroughbridge Road near Kia garage
- Leeds Road at junction with Hookstone Drive
Road closures:
- Leadhall Lane, Harrogate – road closure
- Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – road closure
- Wayside Avenue near Wetherby Road – road closure for resurfacing
- Harlow Moor Road at the junction with Otley Road – temporary one way system
- Savage Yard, Knaresborough, across from The Crown Inn – road closure
- Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure
- Pool Lane, Nun Monkton – road closure
- Arthurs Avenue between Otley Road and Pannal Ash Road – road closure
Temporary lights:
- Drury Lane, Pannal
- Wetherby Road, Harrogate
- Ripon Road just south of Ripley
- Otley Road near Pharmall Ltd
- York Road, Knaresborough, near chain Lane
- Cold Bath Road in Harrogate
- Leadhall Lane in Rossett Green
- Green Lane near Ashville College
- Otley Road around the junctions for Cold Bath Road and Harlow Moor Road
- Boroughbridge Road, near the Kia Garage
- Dallamires Lane, Ripon
Trains
- 09:05 Harrogate to York is expected at 09:08
- 09:23 Harrogate to Leeds is expected at 09:37
Buses
- Buses look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations
- Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
8.30am – Full Update
Roads
Traffic Hotspots:
- A61 between Killinghall and Ripley – 11 minute delay
- Wetherby Road between the Kestrel roundabout and Empress roundabout – 10 minute delay
- Skipton Road – 7 minute delay
- Boroughbridge Road near Kia Garage – 10 minute delay
- Knaresborough Road, Starbeck – 9 minute delay
Traffic is building here:
- Otley Road towards Prince of Wales roundabout
- A59 towards J47 A1
- York Road, Knaresborough
- York Place, Harrogate
- Hookstone Drive
Road closures:
- Leadhall Lane, Harrogate – road closure
- Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – road closure
- Wayside Avenue near Wetherby Road – road closure for resurfacing
- Harlow Moor Road at the junction with Otley Road – temporary one way system
- Savage Yard, Knaresborough, across from The Crown Inn – road closure
- Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure
- Pool Lane, Nun Monkton – road closure
- Arthurs Avenue between Otley Road and Pannal Ash Road – road closure
Temporary lights:
- Drury Lane, Pannal
- Wetherby Road, Harrogate
- Ripon Road just south of Ripley
- Otley Road near Pharmall Ltd
- York Road, Knaresborough, near chain Lane
- Cold Bath Road in Harrogate
- Leadhall Lane in Rossett Green
- Green Lane near Ashville College
- Otley Road around the junctions for Cold Bath Road and Harlow Moor Road
- Boroughbridge Road, near the Kia Garage
- Dallamires Lane, Ripon
Trains
- 07:37 Knaresborough to Leeds is due at 08:23
- 08:21 Harrogate to York is expected at 08:28
Buses
- Buses look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations
- Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
8am – Full Update
Roads
Traffic Hotspots:
- A61 between Killinghall and Ripley – 7 minute delay
- Wetherby Road between the Kestrel roundabout and Empress roundabout – 6 minute delay
Traffic is building here:
- Skipton Road towards Empress Roundabout
- Otley Road at junction with Skipton Road
- A59 towards J47 A1
- Knaresborough Road, Starbeck
- Boroughbridge Road near Kia Garage
Road closures:
- Leadhall Lane, Harrogate – road closure
- Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – road closure
- Wayside Avenue near Wetherby Road – road closure for resurfacing
- Harlow Moor Road at the junction with Otley Road – temporary one way system
- Savage Yard, Knaresborough, across from The Crown Inn – road closure
- Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure
- Pool Lane, Nun Monkton – road closure
- Arthurs Avenue between Otley Road and Pannal Ash Road – road closure
Temporary lights:
- Drury Lane, Pannal
- Wetherby Road, Harrogate
- Ripon Road just south of Ripley
- Otley Road near Pharmall Ltd
- York Road, Knaresborough, near chain Lane
- Cold Bath Road in Harrogate
- Leadhall Lane in Rossett Green
- Green Lane near Ashville College
- Otley Road around the junctions for Cold Bath Road and Harlow Moor Road
- Boroughbridge Road, near the Kia Garage
- Dallamires Lane, Ripon
Trains
- 07:37 Knaresborough to Leeds is due at 08:23
- 07:51 Harrogate to York is expected at 08:02
- 08:21 Harrogate to York is expected at 08:26
Buses
- Buses look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations
- Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
7.30am – Full Update
Roads
Traffic is building here:
- A61 between Killinghall and Ripley
- Otley Road at junction with Skipton Road
- A59 towards J47 A1
Road closures:
- Leadhall Lane, Harrogate – road closure
- Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – road closure
- Wayside Avenue near Wetherby Road – road closure for resurfacing
- Harlow Moor Road at the junction with Otley Road – temporary one way system
- Savage Yard, Knaresborough, across from The Crown Inn – road closure
- Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure
- Pool Lane, Nun Monkton – road closure
- Arthurs Avenue between Otley Road and Pannal Ash Road – road closure
Temporary lights:
- Drury Lane, Pannal
- Wetherby Road, Harrogate
- Ripon Road just south of Ripley
- Otley Road near Pharmall Ltd
- York Road, Knaresborough, near chain Lane
- Cold Bath Road in Harrogate
- Leadhall Lane in Rossett Green
- Green Lane near Ashville College
- Otley Road around the junctions for Cold Bath Road and Harlow Moor Road
- Boroughbridge Road, near the Kia Garage
- Dallamires Lane, Ripon
Trains
- 07:24 Harrogate to Leeds is expected at 07:31
- 07:51 Harrogate to York is expected at 07:57
Buses
- Buses look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations
- Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
7am – Full Update
Roads
Traffic is building on Ripon Road between Ripley and Killinghall as well as on the Harrogate bypass towards St James retail park.
Road closures:
- Leadhall Lane, Harrogate – road closure
- Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – road closure
- Wayside Avenue near Wetherby Road – road closure for resurfacing
- Harlow Moor Road at the junction with Otley Road – temporary one way system
- Savage Yard, Knaresborough, across from The Crown Inn – road closure
- Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure
- Pool Lane, Nun Monkton – road closure
- Arthurs Avenue between Otley Road and Pannal Ash Road – road closure
Temporary lights:
- Drury Lane, Pannal
- Wetherby Road, Harrogate
- Ripon Road just south of Ripley
- Otley Road near Pharmall Ltd
- York Road, Knaresborough, near chain Lane
- Cold Bath Road in Harrogate
- Leadhall Lane in Rossett Green
- Green Lane near Ashville College
- Otley Road around the junctions for Cold Bath Road and Harlow Moor Road
- Boroughbridge Road, near the Kia Garage
- Dallamires Lane, Ripon
Trains
- There are no problems on the Harrogate to York, Leeds or Knaresborough lines
Buses
- Buses look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations
- Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
6.30am – Full Update
Roads
The roads are looking quiet so far this morning, with no hotspots just yet.
Road closures:
- Leadhall Lane, Harrogate – road closure
- Kingsley Drive, Starbeck – road closure
- Wayside Avenue near Wetherby Road – road closure for resurfacing
- Harlow Moor Road at the junction with Otley Road – temporary one way system
- Savage Yard, Knaresborough, across from The Crown Inn – road closure
- Westerns Lane, Markington – road closure
- Pool Lane, Nun Monkton – road closure
- Arthurs Avenue between Otley Road and Pannal Ash Road – road closure
Temporary lights:
- Drury Lane, Pannal
- Wetherby Road, Harrogate
- Ripon Road just south of Ripley
- Otley Road near Pharmall Ltd
- York Road, Knaresborough, near chain Lane
- Cold Bath Road in Harrogate
- Leadhall Lane in Rossett Green
- Green Lane near Ashville College
- Otley Road around the junctions for Cold Bath Road and Harlow Moor Road
- Boroughbridge Road, near the Kia Garage
- Dallamires Lane, Ripon
Trains
- There are no problems on the Harrogate to York, Leeds or Knaresborough lines
Buses
- Buses look to be running on time with no reported delays or cancellations
- Harrogate Bus Company is running a reduced timetable due to driver availability. The 36 bus will run every 30 mins between Harrogate & Ripon, and every 15 mins between Harrogate & Leeds
Menwith Hill submits new plans to expand
A 45-foot long ‘communications container compound’ could be built at RAF Menwith Hill.
A planning application submitted to Harrogate Borough Council by the Ministry of Defence, which owns the site, says the new building would cover 464 square metres and help ‘meet the operational output of the station’.
There are no other details about what work would take place within the new building. The plans also include provision for a large fuel tank.
Built in the 1950s on the edge of Nidderdale, Menwith Hill is the United States’ largest overseas surveillance base.
Giant radomes, or ‘golf balls’, are a distinctive feature of the site.
Read more:
- Menwith Hill involved in ‘significant number’ of deadly US drone strikes
- Upset and anger at plans to remove MP’s memorial tree at Menwith Hill
Recent expansion
There have been several planning applications to expand the base in the past couple of years.
Last year the MoD was granted planning permission to build three more radomes.
In February, the council also approved plans for another radome as well as an electrical substation.
Separate plans were submitted to add a new visitor centre, vehicle canopy and changes to the road junction on Menwith Hill Road.
Last month, a new report alleged the base provided intelligence for American drone bombings campaigns in the Middle East, including the high-profile assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in 2020.
Harrogate MP silent after saying scrapping HS2 would ‘betray the north’Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has so far remained silent on the expected scrapping of plans to extend the HS2 line from Birmingham to Leeds.
The former rail minister has been a vocal advocate of the project. In February 2019, he said that it would be a “betrayal of the north” if it did not go ahead.
However, government sources briefed national media outlets over the weekend about the decision ahead of an expected announcement on Thursday.
Just two months ago Mr Jones reiterated his support for HS2 at the annual Transport for the North conference in Leeds. He said:
“I hope that we do not see any compromise on our desire for big investment in our infrastructure. We have failed spectacularly to invest enough in our infrastructure.
“This has meant it is now too expensive and too difficult to move people and goods around the country. So I do not support the argument that we need to abandon longer term infrastructure investment.”
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- Review launched into council’s handling of Dunlopillo housing plans
At a previous Transport for the North conference in February 2019, Mr Jones went further and criticised media outlets for reporting speculation over the future of the HS2 Birmingham to Leeds line.
“We have all probably seen some media reports claiming that the northern stages of HS2 might not be built. They are nonsense.
“HS2 was conceived, developed and is now being delivered as a national railway. But in particular to improve links for our area.
“So our commitment to the full network of HS2 is undiminished. To cancel anything would be a betrayal of the north.”
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Jones for his thoughts this morning. However, he did not reply to our request for comment by the time of publication.
Harrogate nursery currently closed due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’A Harrogate nursery that has existed for more than 50 years has closed.
Oatlands Pre-School, which opened in 1968, was situated in the former Oatlands Methodist Church on Mount Street and was owned and managed by a voluntary committee.
According to its most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2017, it catered for 25 children aged two to five.
Claire Temple, chair of the Oatlands Pre-School and community centre committee, told the Stray Ferret it had closed due to “unforeseen circumstances” and said she was unable to provide any further information at this time.
The pre-school, which it is believed closed in September, operated from 8.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday throughout term times and provided a lunch club.
Ofsted rated the nursery as ‘good’ in 2017 but its website now describes it as closed.
Read more:
- Ripon primary school receives ‘buddy bench’ to combat loneliness
- Woodfield primary school set to close in September
A proposed new bar and restaurant on Harrogate’s King’s Road has applied for a premises licence.
The premises would be situated in Ocean House and the former Ramus seafood shop. If approved, it would significantly liven a part of town not known for its nightlife.
GM Developments, which is based in Leeds, lodged plans with Harrogate Borough Council in October for the scheme.
Under a licensing application, the bar, called Frog, would be open from Monday to Sunday from 10am until midnight.
The application also seeks permission for the retail sale of alcohol on site.
Read more:
- New Harrogate cocktail bar to open next month
- New restaurant and bar planned on Harrogate’s King’s Road
- Harrogate food hall to close after just six months
The new restaurant, which would be based in Ocean House and create up to 20 jobs, would seat 70 people indoors. There would also be a bar, external pavement and courtyard seating.
The business would be managed by Roger Moxham, one of the founding owners of Harrogate’s Cold Bath Brewing company.
Mr Moxham said previously:
“We will serve a diverse array of global meals rooted in Asia and the Americas, which we intend to rotate throughout the year.
“The menu will be underpinned by a weekend brunch offer all supported by a full range of hand crafted cocktails and beers and an interesting selection of soft drinks, teas and coffees.”
The council will make a decision on the premises application at a later date.
Unemployment in Harrogate district falls despite end of furloughThe number of people receiving out-of-work benefits in the Harrogate district has continued to fall, despite the furlough scheme ending at the end of September.
Latest figures by the Office for National Statistics show 2,375 people in the district were claiming the benefits as of October 14.
This is 115 fewer than the 2,490 figure for September 12. The benefits include Universal Credit, which can also be claimed by people who are in work but on low incomes.
The furlough scheme ended on September 30 and supported around 28,600 jobs in the Harrogate district for 18 months.
Read More:
- Major drop in applications for social care jobs across North Yorkshire
- Fears for thousands of Harrogate district jobs as furlough ends
The figures appear to have calmed fears raised by the local Liberal Democrats that the scheme would result in up to 3,600 job losses in the district.
Speaking last month, Cllr Pat Marsh, leader of the opposition group on Harrogate Borough Council, said the Liberal Democrats both locally and nationally were demanding the scheme be extended to protect jobs.